"There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot. These essays are the delights and dilemmas of one who cannot" - Aldo Leopold

2011/02/08

Windy day so calmer waters on the wharf

Today was sunny but extremely windy, which made biking to the dyke quite a workout.

Also very wavey as well.

Saw this pink Rock Pigeon standing out among a large group of mostly grey pigeons. It was also quite aggressive and pecking others next to it.

An immature Bald Eagle looking reluctant to fly in the strong wind.

Most ducks avoid being in the rough water as well and resort to sleeping. Just like this male Common Merganser.

I then biked to Steveston Fisherman's Wharf, which had very few people wandering around, but quite a few birds since the water was calmer next to all the boats.

One was this strange looking bird (a female Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) after checking my field guide at home). Distinguished from the female Barrow's Goldeneye by the larger bill - no image to compare but I think this bill looks pretty big. I originally thought is was one of the pochards.

According to Allaboutbirds, their eye colours change quite a lot from hatchlings to adults.

The second bird was this pretty Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)! This bird was not really shy at all and tolerated me taking all these photos (warning: many photos below).

Besides all the pretty shots, I also ended up with a lot of diving tail shots and water surface shots.